Climate change crisis: Protect lives and food security now

LETTERS: The climate change crisis is no longer a distant environmental concern. It is an immediate threat to lives, livelihoods, food security and national resilience.

Malaysia is already experiencing more frequent and severe floods, extreme heat, droughts and other climate-related events, and now the haze. We cannot afford to continue responding only after disasters occur.

The government must adopt a whole-of-nation approach to climate resilience, bringing together climate policy, disaster preparedness, food security, public health, water management, infrastructure and community safety.

Food security deserves particular attention.

Climate shocks can disrupt our rice, vegetable, livestock and fisheries production. We must invest urgently in climate-resilient agriculture, efficient water management, food storage and stronger domestic food production.

At the same time, all major infrastructure and development projects must be assessed for future climate risks. Our forests, wetlands, mangroves and other natural ecosystems must also be protected as they are vital natural defences against floods, heat and coastal hazards.

Climate change requires more than government action. Businesses, communities and individuals must all play their part.

We must act before climate disasters become climate catastrophes. The cost of prevention and preparedness will always be lower than the cost of losing lives, livelihoods and our food security.